Understanding Psychology as a Science

What is a common misconception about psychology as a scientific discipline?

• It only studies proteins and bacteria.

• It is solely concerned with subjective feelings and emotions.

• It uses rigorous experimentation techniques.

• It is more scientific than other disciplines.

Which of the following is NOT a topic typically studied by psychologists?

• The influence of genetic and environmental factors on twins.

• The motion and energy of physical objects.

• The effects of sleep deprivation on problem-solving.

• The use of virtual reality to overcome fears.

Why is research considered vital in psychology?

• It confirms that intuition is always reliable.

• It helps to investigate and challenge common sense.

• It focuses solely on subjective experiences.

• It is based on astrology.

What is hindsight bias?

• The tendency to predict future events accurately.

• The belief that one knew the outcome of an event after it occurred.

• The ability to control a situation with certainty.

• The skill of estimating task completion time accurately.

What is one reason people are often overconfident in their knowledge or skills?

• They have conducted extensive research.

• They underestimate their level of knowledge.

• They overestimate their level of knowledge and control.

• They rely solely on empirical evidence.

Which of the following is a characteristic of a scientific discipline?

• The specific topics it studies.

• The methods and processes used to explain phenomena.

• The number of researchers involved.

• The popularity of the discipline.

What is a common image that comes to mind when people think of science and research?

• Virtual reality simulations.

• Atoms and molecules.

• Subjective feelings.

• Astrology charts.

How do psychologists use the scientific method in their research?

• By relying on intuition and common sense.

• By observing, collecting data, and using evidence to draw conclusions.

• By focusing only on subjective experiences.

• By studying only physical phenomena.

What is one criticism of psychology mentioned in the text?

• It is too focused on physical sciences.

• It is often seen as a pseudoscience.

• It lacks any scientific method.

• It is too objective and rigorous.

What is the purpose of psychological research according to the text?

• To confirm common sense beliefs.

• To investigate and determine what is true and false.

• To study only physical phenomena.

• To rely on astrology for explanations.